Our boat slowly floated in to the edge of the shore to get a closer look at this huge crocodile. It was atleast 15 feet long and it’s mouth was big enough to swallow me whole. The red area in the mouth is where the gular valve is located, which prevents water from going down the trachea when the animal is under water. On land they hold their mouths open to dissipate heat and to get their teeth cleaned by brave birds and insects.